WSOC: Hofstra Picked Second In Preseason CAA Poll

8/5/2010 2:32:00 AM

Richmond, Va. - The Hofstra Women's Soccer team was picked to finish a close second in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association in 2010 according to a vote of the league's head coaches, it was announced today by the league office.
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Hofstra finished only one point behind James Madison, which received five first-place votes and 108 total points to claim the top spot in the poll. Hofstra earned one first-place vote and 107 points to finish second in the poll, while defending CAA champion UNC Wilmington garnered four first-place votes and was third with 103 points.

William and Mary, which has reached the NCAA Tournament in 16 of the past 18 years, received one first-place vote and was fourth with 93 points and Northeastern, which finished atop the CAA regular-season standings in 2009, also got a first-place vote and was fifth with 87 points. George Mason was picked sixth, followed by Old Dominion, Delaware, Towson and VCU (tied for ninth), Georgia State and Drexel.

Hofstra, which has won two CAA titles in the past five seasons, has eight starters back from last year's 10-6-3 team, including all of its front six (three forwards and three midfielders). The Pride welcomes back a league-best three first-team All-CAA selections in senior forward Salma Tarik (Bellmore, N.Y. - 10 goals, 4 assists), senior midfielder Tiffany Yovino (Holtsville, N.Y. - 3g, 1a) and junior midfielder Courtney Breen (Hicksville, N.Y. - 3g, 2a). Sophomore defender Amy Turner (Stocksbridge, England) was a member of the CAA All-Rookie team in 2009.

The CAA has placed two or more teams in the NCAA Tournament field in 14 of the past 17 seasons. The conference had three teams advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2007 and 2008.

Hofstra opens the 2010 season with a road game against 2009 NCAA quarterfinalist Boston College on Friday, August 27.

2010 CAA WOMEN'S SOCCER PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL

1. James Madison (5 first-place votes) - 108
2. Hofstra (1 first-place vote) - 107
3. UNC Wilmington (4 first-place votes) - 103
4. William and Mary (1 first-place vote) - 93
5. Northeastern (1 first-place vote) - 87
6. George Mason - 74
7. Old Dominion - 62
8. Delaware - 51
9. Towson - 35
9. VCU - 35
11. Georgia State - 23
12. Drexel - 14

(Teams received 11 points for a first-place vote, 10 for second, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.)

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